WAIKOIKOI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 31

WAIKOIKOI.

July 26 — For the greater part of this week we hive had the very finest of weauier; but last night a slight shower of snow fell, and today (Saturday; has been very cold and showery. The wmt?r, so far, has been an open one, there having been very little frost and still less snow. Kain, however, has b°en abundant, and the byroads are deep in mud, so that travelling about is a work far from pleasant, especially to pedesti'ans.

Roads. — The work of gravelling the Waikoi-koi-Pomahaka road is progressing s'ow'.y, the wet weather havmg retarded the woik considerably-. As this is the main road of tlie district, the county intend to havo the gravelling done thoroughly. It is now 16 years since this road was last gravelled, and as the traffic over it is considerable, especially after threshing, the County Council feel that if it is thoroughly repaired now it may keep in good order for ten or twelve years at anyrate.

The Farm. — On many of the farms ploughing is wjell advanced, the open winter having rratenally -helped the farmers to push ahead with this -work. I don't think that the high prices obtained for oats this season is causing any of our farmers to cultivate larger areas than usual, though many believe that good prices will again be the rule next season. The principal, I may almost say the oaiy, cereal grown here is oats. Wheat has been grown here, but not to any extent. The soil is essential!} an oat-growmg one.

Quadrille Assembly. — The fortnightly quadrihea are largely attended, and the Management Committee are to be congratulated on the good tone which prevails and the friendly feeling that exists. A hearty welcome is extended to visitors of good character, and a cup of tea is provided for all. The music supplied is of the best, and to anyone wishing to spend a few hours of enjoyment, I would say you cannot do better than attend the 'Koi quadrille. The closing hour is 12.

Social Club. — This club has not taken on so well as the quadrille, but notwithstanding thi9 the members spend a pleasant evening once a month in games of ping-pong, cards, and social chat, the whole winding up with the inevitable dance, to good music.

Scholastic — Wet weathc- has militated much against good attendances at school. So far, the services of the truant officer have not been required, but the new regulations are so stringent — and rightly so — tha-t a teacher is now compelled to send to the Education Board every n^onth a list of the bad attenders, and in all cases where parents show indifference as to whether their children attend school regu.'ariy or not, the matter is placed in the hands' of the board's truant officer to prosecute where iiecessarv.

Arbour Day. — The annual meeting of the 'Koi Arbour Day Association was held in the school on Saturday, 19th inst., Mr J. Beattie in the chair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed, and the following officers were elected • —President, Mr John Beattie; vice-president, Mr J. Barr ; secretary and treasurer, Mr Will Spark; and Messrs J. Mackay, R. Simmers, W. Kirk, J. Lavender and G-eo. Mimes, jun., are the Working Committee. It was decided to hold Arbour Day on Friday, August 8, and the secretary was instructed to rrocure trees for planting. An offer by Mr John Spark of 50 trees, and one by Mr Will. Spark of two oaks was gladly and gratefully accepted.

Library. — A fresh lot of books has been added to our library, and now we have a capital collection of reading matter suitable for all classes of readers. More subscribers would be welcome.

Pomahaka Siding. — For some time past there has been a good deal of discussion going on re the altering of the name Pomahaka to one more suitable. To several inconvenience has been caused by parcels and letters intended for Pomahaka going to Pomahaka Downs, and even to Romahapa. The 'Koi branch of the Farmers' Union has had the matter under consideration, but so far has taken no steps to have the name altered. Some correspondence on the subject has appeared in the local paper, so that any attempt to alter the name will meet with some opposition. The fact remains however, that mistakes causing considerable inconvenience and annoyance are made, and I think it is necessary that something should be done to prevent people being put to unnecessary trouble. The truth is that in New Zealand geography there are many names so similar that they must cause endless trouble to both post snd railway officials. Why ehou'd there he such similar names as Waikoikou and Waikoukou. Tapantri. Panamu. and Kakanui, etc., etc. 9 To the Waikoikoi P.O. come many letters and papers meant to go to Waikoukou or Waikouaiti, or Waikaka. Occasionally, too, a man calls for his Witness, and finds, to his great annoyance, ihat it has not come to hand. A week later it turns up, having been sent on from some post office having an almost similar name to Waikoikoi. No blame, however, can bi> attached to the post officials When one considers the hundreds of letters that pa's through the head office daily and that the addrpsses are often very badly written, one can easily understand how a great similarity of names leads to mi'tak'-s.

Farmers' — The 'Koi branch of the union meets in August.